Thiruvananthapuram, July 25
: Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice Dr R Bindu
will inaugurate Priya Home set up for the rehabilitation of mentally and intellectually
challenged women at Veliyam in Kottarakkara in Kollam district on July 26, which is the first
centre
under the Integrated Rehabilitation Village Project of the Social Justice Department of
the Kerala Government.
Finance Minister Shri K N Balagopal will preside over the function, scheduled to be held at 11
am. This was disclosed by Dr Bindu at a press Conference at the campus of the National Institute
of Speech and Hearing (NISH) at Akkulam here, after attending a function for signing of MOU
between NISH and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University to collaborate in conducting an
innovative entrepreneurial development training project for the differently-abled youngsters
in the state.
Executive Director of NISH and Director of Social Justice Department, Ms M Anjana, IAS, was
also present.
Priya Home is set up on the land and building donated by Shri Kamalasanan and Smt Sarojini
of Eranhipalam, Kozhikode, in the name of their daughter Priya, a mentally-challenged
person. Priya is the granddaughter of veteran freedom fighter and Communist leader the late
C H Kanaran.
“Parents of differently-abled children always live in great anxiety about the future of their
children after their life time. The Social Justice Department has come out with novel projects
to address this issue based on an integrated approach,” Dr Bindu said.
“The goal of these projects is to bring differently-abled people to the mainstream of the
society by equipping them to participate in the development of the nation. This can be
achieved only by promoting a socially-oriented development process, and the rehabilitation
projects of the state government are based on this approach”, the Minister said.
The Integrated Rehabilitation Village has all facilities to take care the health, education, skill
development and welfare of the differently abled persons. The project has been conceived
and structured by the Social Justice Department with the objective of taking care of entire life
of a differently abled child, Dr Bindu said.
The project covers the whole gamut of related activities, including early-detection of
intellectual disability, extension of physiotherapy facility, surgical connection, special school
and sheltered workshop. There will also be facilities for the stay of children.
The campus will be developed in different phases spread around a minimum of 3.5 acres of
land. Initially, 15 persons will be admitted and the strength will be raised upto 100 in
subsequent phases.